DC/DC higher consumption than LDO

Hi,

when DC/DC is enabled, current consumption in sleep is higher than when using LDO.

This is consumtion with DCDC = 0

This is power consumtion when DCDC = 1

System init

	Return_t init(void)
	{
		// Test crystals only in debug build
		#ifdef DEBUG
		_PRINT("Wait for HFXO\n");
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED = 0;
		NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_HFCLKSTART = 1;
		while (NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED == 0);
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_HFCLKSTARTED = 0;	
		_PRINT("HFXO started\n");

		_PRINT("Wait for LFXO\n");
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED = 0;
		NRF_CLOCK->TASKS_LFCLKSTART = 1;
		while (NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED == 0);
		NRF_CLOCK->EVENTS_LFCLKSTARTED = 0;	
		_PRINT("LFXO started\n");		
		#endif // DEBUG

		// Configure power
		NRF_POWER->POFCON = 0;
		NRF_POWER->DCDCEN = 1;

		// Init watchdog
		NRF_WDT->CRV = (AppConfig::wdtTimeout * 32768) - 1;
		#ifdef DEBUG
		NRF_WDT->CONFIG = 1;
		#else
		NRF_WDT->CONFIG = 9;
		#endif // DEBUG
		NRF_WDT->TASKS_START = 1;

		// Enable RTC interrupt
		ret_code_t ret = sd_nvic_SetPriority(RTC2_IRQn, 2);
		if (ret != NRF_SUCCESS)
		{
			APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
			return Return_t::NOK;
		}

		ret = sd_nvic_EnableIRQ(RTC2_IRQn);
		if (ret != NRF_SUCCESS)
		{
			APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
			return Return_t::NOK;
		}

		// Enable compare0 interrupt
		NRF_RTC2->INTENSET = (1 << 16);

		// Set counter resolution of 125ms
		NRF_RTC2->PRESCALER = 4095;

		startWakeupTimer();
		return Return_t::OK;
	}
	
	void startWakeupTimer(void)
	{
		NRF_RTC2->TASKS_CLEAR = 1;
		NRF_RTC2->CC[0] = (AppConfig::measurePeriod * 1000) / 125;
		NRF_RTC2->TASKS_START = 1;
		_PRINT_INFO("Wakeup timer started\n");
	}

I expected to get better power consumption when using DC/DC. Is there reason why consumption is higher?

nRF52832 with Softdevice S132. HFXO is later requested by calling SD function.
VDD is 3V from PPK2.

EDIT:

This is consumption when MCU is running(just feeding the watchdog).

LDO

DC/DC

Is that expected? 

This is HW design

Seems like DC/DC is really inefficient when in sleep.

How much DC/DC startup takes time and power? Seems like good idea to switch off DC/DC before sleep.

Parents
  • Hi

    Noted, but the current consumption here looks a too high in sleep mode for both the LDO and DCDC, so I would like to know how exactly you measure current consumption on your end? How is the Power Profiler kit connected to the board, and what voltage are you supplying here? The power profiler traces seem very noisy, so it could be some issues with the setup as well. You can export and upload the full .ppk file so we can review it on our side as well to see the power consumption looks okay or not.

    Best regards,

    Simon

Reply
  • Hi

    Noted, but the current consumption here looks a too high in sleep mode for both the LDO and DCDC, so I would like to know how exactly you measure current consumption on your end? How is the Power Profiler kit connected to the board, and what voltage are you supplying here? The power profiler traces seem very noisy, so it could be some issues with the setup as well. You can export and upload the full .ppk file so we can review it on our side as well to see the power consumption looks okay or not.

    Best regards,

    Simon

Children
  • ILPS22QS sensor is not inited I guess. Device has few components - Sensor and MCU.
    Consumption is measured with PPK2 and device is connected with VDD and GND(power is provided by PPK2).

    I'm not curious with ~170uA sleep. I'm curious for ~223uA difference between LDO and DC/DC while in sleep. I expected to have better consumption in sleep with DC/DC.

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